Blast pressure, fragment and projectile resistant panel mounting systems

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a protective structure and panel system to protect a user against projectiles, blast pressures and fragments from small arms and explosions that is attached to a floor and a ceiling or just a floor. The system has a plurality of structural columns attached to the ceiling and/or the floor, a frame attached to the structural columns, a plurality of protective panels that are set within the frame and a means for attaching the protective structure and panel system to the ceiling and/or the floor. The invention also includes a vertical retrofit support system used in combination with a load bearing structure such as a wall to support a floor and a ceiling of the load bearing structure.

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 61/099,247, 61/099,255, 61/099,258, 61/099,326, 61/099,409, 61/099,418, 61/099,418 and 61/099,435 all dated Sep. 23, 2008, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD & BACKGROUND

The present invention generally relates to a protective structure and panel system. More specifically, the invention is a structure and panel system for protecting users from projectiles, blast pressures and fragments from small arms and explosions.

It is an object of the invention to provide a structure and panel system for protecting users of existing glazing systems and glazed surfaces from projectiles, blast pressures and fragments from explosions.

It is an object of the invention to provide a structure and panel system for protecting users from projectiles, blast pressures and fragments from small arms and explosions that is an improvement compared to similar protective structure and panel systems.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a structure and panel system for protecting users from projectiles, blast pressures and fragments from small arms and explosions that can be easily augmented into current similar protective structure and panel systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodiments, but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like references denote similar elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of one embodiment of the protective structure and panel system.

FIG. 2A illustrates a front perspective view of one embodiment of the protective structure and panel system.

FIG. 2B illustrates a cross-sectional side perspective view along line 2B-2B of FIG. 2A of one embodiment of the protective structure and panel system.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front perspective view of one embodiment of the protective structure and panel system.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front perspective view of one embodiment of the protective structure and panel system.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front perspective view of one embodiment of the protective structure and panel system.

FIG. 6 illustrates a front perspective view of one embodiment of the protective structure and panel system.

FIG. 7 illustrates a front side perspective view of one embodiment of a vertical retrofit support system.

FIG. 8A illustrates a front perspective view of one embodiment of the protective structure and panel system.

FIG. 8B illustrates a cross-sectional side perspective view along line 8B-8B of FIG. 8A of one embodiment of the protective structure and panel system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrative embodiments.

Various operations will be described as multiple discrete operations, in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the present invention. However, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations need not be performed in the order of presentation.

The phrase “in one embodiment” is used repeatedly. The phrase generally does not refer to the same embodiment, however, it may. The terms “comprising”, “having” and “including” are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise.

The present invention is a protective structure and panel system 10 to protect a user (not shown) against projectiles, blast pressures and fragments from small arms and explosions that is attached to a floor F and a ceiling C. The protective structure and panel system 10 is typically used to protect a user while using or augmenting a glazing system or glazed surface (not shown), although it can be used for other protective purposes against other projectiles, blast pressures and fragments from small arms and explosions. The protective structure and panel system 10 comprises a plurality of structural columns 20 attached to the floor F and ceiling C, a frame 30 attached to the plurality of structural columns 20, a plurality of protective panels 40 that are set within the frame 30 and a means for attaching the protective structure and panel system to the floor and the ceiling 70.

As depicted in FIG. 1, one embodiment of the protective structure and panel system 10 has an adjustable collar 50 that can adjust to height variations involving the floor F and the ceiling C. It is disposed on top of the plurality of structural columns 20 just before the ceiling C. It allows the plurality of structural columns 20 to be rapidly and efficiently installed in a structure with variations in its respective floor F and ceiling C height. The advantage of this is that it provides extremely robust mechanical connections between the base building structure's floor F and ceiling C and the plurality of structural columns 20. The adjustable collar 50 also has angle clips 60 that provide a surface to attach the adjustable collar 50 to the floor F and ceiling C. The adjustable collar 50 slides vertically along each of the plurality of structural columns 20 and the final connection to the plurality of structural columns 20 is accomplished by the means for attaching 70, which can be a plurality of bolts 72, a plurality of mechanical anchors (not shown), a plurality of chemical epoxy anchors (not shown) or a product of a welding process (not shown) or any combination thereof. The means for attaching 70 are also used in combination with a plurality of bent support plates (not shown) and/or a straight support plate 80. The plurality of structural columns 20 and the frame 30 are made of aluminum and or steel. The plurality of protective panels 40 are selected from the group consisting of a steel panel, an aluminum panel, a chain link panel, an expanded metal mesh panel, a laminated glass panel, a glass clad polycarbonate panel, a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) panel or another polymeric panel. All of these types of protective panels are well-known to those schooled in the art.

Another embodiment of the protective structure and panel system 100 is depicted in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B. This embodiment of the protective structure and panel system 100 also has a plurality of structural columns 20, a frame 30, a plurality of protective panels 40, a means for attaching 70 in the form of a plurality of bolts 72 and a straight support plate 80, all of which are identical to the previous embodiment of the protective structure and panel system 10. However, this embodiment of the protective structure and panel system 100 differs from the previous embodiment of the protective structure and panel system 10 in that the plurality of structural columns 20 have slots 110 that are integral with clips 120 on the plurality of protective panels 40 for attachment of the plurality of protective panels 40 to the plurality of structural columns 20. An advantage of this embodiment of the protective structure and panel system 100 is the ease of mounting the plurality of protective panels 40 to the protective structure and panel system 100. The slots 110 are machined into the plurality of structural columns 20 and the clips 120 are attached to the plurality of protective panels 40 and are coordinated with the slots 110 on the plurality of structural columns 20. The clips 120 are placed in the slots 110 and there is positive engagement between the clips 120 and the slots 110, thereby securing the plurality of protective panels 40 with the plurality of structural columns 20.

Another embodiment of the protective structure and panel system 200 is depicted in FIG. 3. This embodiment of the protective structure and panel system 200 also has a plurality of structural columns 20, a frame 30, a plurality of protective panels 40, a means for attaching 70 in the form of a plurality of bolts 72 and a straight support plate 80, all of which are identical to the previous embodiment of the protective structure and panel system 10. However, this embodiment of the protective structure and panel system 200 differs from the previous embodiment of the protective structure and panel system 10 in that supportive rods and ropes 210 are crossed and attached to the plurality of structural columns 20 for additional support to the protective structure and panel system 200. The supportive rods and ropes 210 are made of steel rods and wire ropes. The supportive rods and ropes 210 are attached to the plurality of structural columns 20 to form an “X shape” between the plurality of structural columns 20 and provide additional load paths to dissipate and transfer loads to the plurality of structural columns 20, which is an advantage of this embodiment of the protective structure and panel system 200.

Another embodiment of the protective structure and panel system 300 is depicted in FIG. 4. This embodiment of the protective structure and panel system 300 also has a plurality of structural columns 20, a frame 30, a plurality of protective panels 40, a means for attaching 70 in the form of a plurality of bolts 72 and a straight support plate 80, all of which are identical to the previous embodiment of the protective structure and panel system 10. However, this embodiment of the protective structure and panel system 300 differs from the previous embodiment of the protective structure and panel system 10 in that the frame 30 and the plurality of protective panels 40 are hingedly attached to the plurality of structural columns 20. The frame 30 and the plurality of protective panels 40 are hingedly attached with a piano hinge 310 to the plurality of structural columns 20 and the frame 30 and the plurality of protective panels 40 can be swung into various positions. The piano hinge 310 can also be disassembled to allow the frame 30 and the plurality of protective panels 40 to rotate, which is an advantage of this embodiment of the protective structure and panel system 300.

Another embodiment of the protective structure and panel system 400 is depicted in FIG. 5. This embodiment of the protective structure and panel system 400 also has a plurality of structural columns 20, a frame 30, a plurality of protective panels 40, a means for attaching 70 in the form of a plurality of bolts 72 and a straight support plate 80, all of which are identical to the previous embodiment of the protective structure and panel system 10. However, this embodiment of the protective structure and panel system 400 differs from the previous embodiment of the protective structure and panel system 10 in that the plurality of structural columns 20 are connected to the means for attaching 70 by a clevis 410. The advantage of this embodiment of the protective structure and panel system 400 is the ease of attaching the plurality of structural columns 20 to the floor F and the ceiling C due to the clevis 410.

Another embodiment of the protective structure and panel system 500 is depicted in FIG. 6. This embodiment of the protective structure and panel system 500 also has a plurality of structural columns 20, a frame 30, a plurality of protective panels 40, a means for attaching 70 in the form of a plurality of bolts 72 and a straight support plate 80, all of which are identical to the previous embodiment of the protective structure and panel system 10. However, this embodiment of the protective structure and panel system 500 differs from the previous embodiment of the protective structure and panel system 10 in that the plurality of protective panels 40 are set on a sliding frame assembly 510 and can be slid along the sliding frame assembly 510. This allows a user to utilize the sliding frame assembly 510 to gain easy access to a glazing system or glazed surface (not shown) being used, while having the protection of this embodiment of the protective structure and panel system 500.

FIG. 7 depicts a vertical retrofit support system 600 used in combination with a load bearing structure (not shown) to support a floor F and a ceiling C of the load bearing structure. The vertical retrofit support system 600 is comprised of a plurality of vertical support columns 610, support bracing 620 attached to the vertical support columns 610 that supports the floor F and the ceiling C and a means for attaching the plurality of vertical support columns and the support bracing to the floor and the ceiling 630. The vertical support columns 610 and the support bracing 620 are made of aluminum and or steel. The means for attaching 630 are a plurality of bolts 640, a plurality of mechanical anchors (not shown), a plurality of chemical epoxy anchors (not shown) and a product of a welding process (not shown). The means for attaching 630 are used in combination with a plurality of bent plates 650 and a plurality of support plates 660. Typically, the load bearing structure (not shown) is a masonry wall, but the vertical retrofit support system 600 is not limited to supporting a masonry wall, but can help support the diaphragms of a load bearing structure.

FIGS. 8A and 8B depict another embodiment of a protective structure and panel system 700 to protect a user (not shown) against projectiles, blast pressures and fragments from small arms and explosions that is attached to a floor F. This embodiment of a protective structure and panel system 700 is different than the previous embodiments of the protective structure and panel system 10, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 in that it is only attached to the floor F and not the ceiling C of a building structure, therefore not interfering with the ceiling or roof of the building structure. This embodiment of a protective structure and panel system 700 is comprised of a plurality of structural columns 710 attached to the floor F, a frame 720 attached to the plurality of structural columns 710, a plurality of protective panels 730 that are set within the frame 720 and a means for attaching the protective structure and panel system to the floor 740. The plurality of structural columns 710 and the frame 720 are made of aluminum and or steel and have relief cutouts 725 for additional convenience. The plurality of protective panels 730 are selected from the group consisting of a steel panel, an aluminum panel, a chain link panel, an expanded metal mesh panel, a laminated glass panel, a glass clad polycarbonate panel, a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) panel or another polymeric panel. This group of panels is well known to those schooled in the art. The means for attaching 740 are a plurality of bolts 750, a plurality of mechanical anchors (not shown), a plurality of chemical epoxy anchors (not shown) and a product of a welding-process (not shown) and are used in combination with a plurality of bent plates 770 and a plurality of straight support plates 760.

While the present invention has been related in terms of the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described. The present invention can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive on the present invention. 

1. A protective structure and panel system to protect a user against projectiles, blast pressures and fragments from small arms and explosions that is attached to a floor and a ceiling, comprising; a plurality of structural columns for additional support to said system; an adjustable collar that can adjust to height variations involving said floor and said ceiling; supportive rods and ropes that are crossed and attached to said structural columns; a frame attached to said structural columns; a plurality of protective panels that are set within said frame; a sliding frame assembly disposed on said frame, where said protective panels and can be slid along said sliding frame assembly; a means for attaching said protective structure and panel system to said floor and said ceiling.
 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said structural columns have slots.
 3. The system according to claim 2, wherein said slots are integral with clips on said protective panels for attachment of said protective panels to said structural columns.
 4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said supportive rods and ropes are made of steel rods and wire ropes.
 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said structural columns and said frame are made of a selected one of aluminum and steel.
 6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said frame and protective panels are hingedly attached to said structural columns.
 7. The system according to claim 6, wherein said frame and protective panels are hingedly attached with a piano hinge.
 8. The system according to claim 7, wherein said piano hinge can be disassembled to allow said frame and said plurality of protective panels to swing and to rotate.
 9. The system according to claim 1, wherein said structural columns are connected to said means for attaching by a clevis.
 10. The system according to claim 1, wherein said protective panels are selected from the group consisting of a steel panel, an aluminum panel, a chain link panel, an expanded metal mesh panel, a laminated glass panel, a glass clad polycarbonate panel, a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) panel or another polymeric panel.
 11. The system according to claim 1, wherein said means for attaching are a plurality of bolts, a plurality of mechanical anchors, a plurality of chemical epoxy anchors and a product of a welding process and are used in combination with a plurality of bent support plates and a plurality of straight support plates.
 12. A vertical retrofit support system used in combination with a load bearing structure to support a floor and a ceiling of said load bearing structure, comprising; a plurality of vertical support columns; support bracing attached to said vertical support columns that supports said floor and said ceiling; and means for attaching said vertical support columns and said support bracing to said floor and said ceiling.
 13. The system according to claim 12, wherein said vertical support columns and said support bracing are made of a selected one of aluminum and steel.
 14. The system according to claim 12, wherein said means for attaching are a plurality of bolts, a plurality of mechanical anchors, a plurality of chemical epoxy anchors and a product of a welding process and are used in combination with a plurality of bent support plates and a plurality of straight support plates.
 15. The system according to claim 12, wherein said load bearing structure is a masonry wall.
 16. A protective structure and panel system to protect a user against projectiles, blast pressures and fragments from small arms and explosions that is attached to a floor, comprising; a plurality of structural columns attached to said floor; a frame attached to said structural columns; a plurality of protective panels that are set within said frame; and a means for attaching said protective structure and panel system to said floor.
 17. The system according to claim 16, wherein said structural columns and said frame are made of a selected one of aluminum and steel.
 18. The system according to claim 16, wherein said structural columns have relief cutouts.
 19. The system according to claim 16, wherein said protective panels are selected from the group consisting of a steel panel, an aluminum panel, a chain link panel, an expanded metal mesh panel, a laminated glass panel, a glass clad polycarbonate panel, a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) panel or another polymeric panel.
 20. The system according to claim 16, wherein said means for attaching are a plurality of bolts, a plurality of mechanical anchors, a plurality of chemical epoxy anchors and a product of a welding process and are used in combination with a plurality of bent support plates and a plurality of straight support plates. 